Jadon Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United in 2021 raised huge expectations.
United paid £73 million to bring the highly talented winger to Old Trafford after his impressive performances in the Bundesliga and for England. However, his time at United was far from smooth.
Sancho scored just three Premier League goals in his debut season and struggled to make an impact in his second year, leading to a fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Sancho’s relationship with Ten Hag deteriorated, with the coach criticizing his training performances.
The situation escalated into a public dispute, with both parties reportedly putting their differences aside before the new campaign began.
Despite the truce, Sancho continued to be sidelined, with Ten Hag opting to overlook him before his eventual loan move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Now at Chelsea, Sancho has rediscovered his form. He’s scored two goals and provided three assists in his first six Premier League starts for the Blues.
His performances have impressed many, with former United defender Mikael Silvestre praising his turnaround. Silvestre believes Chelsea’s eventual permanent signing of Sancho for around £25 million next summer will be a “bargain.”
Silvestre attributes Sancho’s failure at United to his unwillingness to work hard. “He wasn’t prepared to work hard at United,” Silvestre said.
“But now at Chelsea, he is positive again, working hard, and showing his worth.” Sancho’s renewed confidence at Stamford Bridge, combined with the support of his coaches and teammates, has seen him become a key player for Chelsea this season.
Sancho played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham. He scored a brilliant goal in the match, showcasing his improved form. Reflecting on the game, Sancho said,
“I knew we’d come back into the game when we got that first goal.” Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, has exceeded expectations this season, sitting second in the Premier League, just four points behind leaders Liverpool.
Sancho is also focused on further improving his game, especially in front of goal. “I’ve been working on my shooting a bit more, and the staff and players have been telling me to be a bit more selfish in front of goal,” he shared.
Sancho’s determination to prove his critics wrong and his ongoing hard work in training could make him a key asset for Chelsea in the coming years.